Multi-color shoe sole blanks

ABSTRACT

A shoe sole blank of synthetic material is produced by applying a brown color layer to a sheet of synthetic material, applying another coat of black color layer over the brown, the black being of limited abrasion-resistance, stamping shoe sole blanks out of the sheet, and selectively abrading away the black layer from the central portion of the blank corresponding to the ball of the foot. Skeletal traces of the black color layer may remain even in said central portion. The resulting blank has a pleasing two-tone appearance and even simulates the grainy texture of leather in said central portion.

United States Patent 1191 Hoche 1 Apr. 17, 1973 [5 MULTI-COLOR SHOE SOLEBLANKS 1,165,600 12/1915 Holbrook et al. ..12/79.5 Inventor: Walter Hhe, weinheim, Berg 1 Strahe Germany FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73]Assign: Freudenbergi weinheim, 1,070,014 2 1954 France ..36/30 R many[22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1971 Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest pp No: 132,848An0rney-Burgess, Dlnklage & Sprung [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign ApphcammPrlorny Data A shoe sole blank of synthetic material is produced by May27, 1970 Germany ..G 7O 19 747.6 applying a brown color layer to a sheetof synthetic material, applying another coat of black color layer [52]US. Cl. ..36/32 R over the brown, the black being of Iimited'abrasiomre-[51] Int. Cl. ..A43b 13/06 sistance, stamping shoe sole blanks out ofthe sheet, [58] Field of Search ..36/30 R, 32 R, 0. and selectivelyabrading away the black layer from the 1 12/795 central portion of theblank corresponding to theball of the foot. Skeletal traces of the blackcolor layer [56] References cued may remain even in said centralportion. The resulting UNITED STATES PATENTS blank has a pleasingtwo-tone appearance 1 and even 5 slmulates the gramy texture of leatherin sand central 123,450 2/1872 Bryant ..36/3O R portion. 469,379 2/1892Swain 1. 69l,l04 H1902 Blodgett ..l2/79.5 6 Claims, 1 Drawing FigurePATENTEDAFR] 71975 m we TH NR wm WM w BURGESS. DINKLAGE & SPRUNGATTORNEYS.

MULTl-COLOR SHOE SOLE BLANKS The present invention relates to theproduction of multi-color shoe sole blanks.

It is known to punch out soles from single-color rubber slabs. It isalso known to print a color design on the sole slab. Subsequent topunching out a sole, the joint section was dyed black for furtherimprovement, possibly also the edge of the walking surface. However,this process is time-consuming.

it is an object of the invention to provide a shoe sole blank, formed ofsynthetic material, with an attractive color pattern in a simple,inexpensive manner.

Thisand other objects and advantages are realized in accordance with thepresent invention wherein to-a sheet or slab of synthetic material suchas synthetic rubber there is applied a first layer of color, e.g. brown,in usual fashion and of usual composition. Over this first coating thereis applied a second layer of different visual appearance, e.g. ofdifferent color such as black or of different pattern. The second layeris of lesser abrasion resistance than said first layer. Shoe sole blanksare then punched out of the sheet in conventional manner and in thecentral portion corresponding to the sole of the shoe blank the blank issubjected to abrasion so as to remove the second layer and expose orslab. Optionally, the blanks are first punched out and thereaftercolored. While the second layer is preferably less abrasion-resistantthan the first to facilitate achieving the desired color effect, even ifnot less resistant it will obviously come away first since it overliesthe first layer; in such event, however, greater care will be requiredto avoid removing the first layer as well. If desired, the abrasion canbe effected over a smaller or greater portion than only that illustratedherein.

It will be appreciated that the instant specification has been set forthby way of illustration and not limita tion and that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: 5.

l. A punched out shoe sole blank comprising a blank body of syntheticmaterial, a first abrasion-resistant colored coating on its outersurface, and a second the first layer. Skeletal traces of the secondlayer are frequently still visible in the exposed area, depending uponthe extent of intermingling of the layers and the extent of abrasion,giving a grainy leather-like appearance. This can be enhanced, ifdesired, by actually printing a leather-like grain pattern as the firstcolor layer or by forming the initial sheet material with a specialtexture on its surface.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is aphotographic reproduction ofa shoe sole blank in accordance with theinvention.

While the first layer is preferably brown and the second'layer is black,other color combinations are possible and either or both layers can bepatterned, e.g. printed, rather than being a solid color.

The shoe sole blank can then be combined in conventional manner with anupper and a heel to form a shoe. If desired, the abrasion of the secondlayer can be effected after formation of the shoe or possibly. evenbefore punching out of the blank from the initial-sheet colored coatingof limited abrasion-resistance superimposed over said first coating,said second coating being of different color than siad first coating.

. A shoe sole blank according to claim 1, wherein said first coloredcoating has an uneven outer surface, whereby upon brushing the outersurface of said coated blank said second coating is removed except fortraces in the depressed portions of said first colored coating, saidtraces imparting a grain-like appearance thereto.

3. A shoe sole blank according to claim 1 wherein said second coating issubstantially absent from the central portion corresponding to the ballof the foot.

4. A shoe sole blank according to claim 3, wherein said second coatingis present in the central portion in trace amounts imparting agrain-like, appearance thereto. v

5. A shoe including an upper and a treadsole, said sole comprising abody of synthetic material, a first abrasion resistant colored coatingon its outer surface, and a second colored coating of limitedabrasion-resistance superimposed over said first coating, said secondcoating being of different color than said first coating.

6. A shoe according to claim 5, wherein said second coating issubstantially absent from the central portion corresponding to the ballof the foot;

1. A punched out shoe sole blank comprising a blank body of syntheticmaterial, a first abrasion-resistant colored coating on its outersurface, and a second colored coating of limited abrasion-resistancesuperimposed over said first coating, said second coating being ofdifferent color than siad first coating.
 2. A shoe sole blank accordingto claim 1, wherein said first colored coating has an uneven outersurface, whereby upon brushing the outer surface of said coated blanksaid second coating is removed except for traces in the depressedportions of said first colored coating, said traces imparting agrain-like appearance thereto.
 3. A shoe sole blank according to claim 1wherein said second coating is substantially absent from the centralportion corresponding to the ball of the foot.
 4. A shoe sole blankaccording to claim 3, wherein said second coating is present in thecentral portion in trace amounts imparting a grain-like appearancethereto.
 5. A shoe including an upper and a treadsole, said solecomprising a body of synthetic material, a first abrasion resistantcolored coating on its outer surface, and a second colored coating oflimited abrasion-resistance superimposed over said first coating, saidsecond coating being of different color than said first coating.
 6. Ashoe according to claim 5, wherein said second coating is substantiallyabsent from the central portion corresponding to the ball of the foot.